Bazooka Knight

07/08/10

2010-07-08T06:03:00.000-07:00

So... yeah a lot has changed.

Basically I was talking with the Navy and all was looking good but a few things changed with my job and my wife's job. These changes allow me to take more classes (free). We want to take advantage of this blessing so I am going to have to hold off on any Navy Chaplaincy stuff (for now anyway).

I am now an Armed Security Guard, though I am waiting for the paperwork to come back before I actually carry. It's a good job and pays better than my last job. I'm excited to continue this. Also its surprisingly physical so it'll also help with the weight stuff.

Also I am considering adding the Master of Arts in Archaeology and Biblical Studies degree to my work load. I'm not 100% but it looks fun and useful.

Anyway I'm not sure what is awaiting ahead for my wife and I, but we are working on loving God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and loving our neighbor as ourselves every day.

04/16/2010

2010-04-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened since my last post.

I applied for the hospital chaplaincy...well that is to say I filled out the application but was unable to even turn it in. Partially I couldn't turn it in because they already made their selections. They never responded to me so that was kind of lame but I suppose the person was busy.

Also I've spoken with the Navy Chaplaincy. I am at the early stages so I am still finding out information but their communication has been so much better so far.

Physically I want/need to loose about 13-lbs. It will take awhile but the summer is coming and I'll have more time. Since I won't be in school I'll be able to work out a lot more, so that will be cool.

Also as a fun update I preached for the first time in a church on April 11th 2010. It was extremely nervous but it went well.

So that's it for now. Peace out!

03-09-2010

2010-03-09T06:51:00.001-08:00

I am going to apply for a hospital chaplaincy residency. I hope I can get in. I don’t have the best resume` for what they’re looking for but I’m hoping there is a spot for me.

Please shoot out a prayer for me.

Also I am researching Navy Chaplaincy.

Regarding seminary I am getting through school, it’s really hard but I am learning.

Physically I realizes I am 10lbs (probably 12) over where I want to be and like 20lbs from where they want me. When they tape me I am actually able to be heavier than the height and weight chart. Thank God for thick necks and wrists!

Update 03-01-2010

2010-03-01T08:19:00.001-08:00

Well I thought it was time for an update.
Currently I am looking at doing Hospital Chaplaincies. I am looking at how the process works and what I need to become certified. At this point what I know is that I need a certain amount of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) units (four I think) to become certified. Once being certified most places will also require some sort Master Degree in theology.
I hear if you have one CPE unit then you can work part-time as a Chaplain. Though I am still seeking out info about this as well.

Physical I have become motivated to get back on track. I had two bad weeks in a row and felt very sick because of it. So my motivation has returned if only to feel physical better. Well that’s it for now.

Stirred up again?

2009-12-03T07:40:00.000-08:00

Shortly after deciding that maybe that chaplaincy is not for me I feel the stirring up again. I wonder if perhaps the chaplaincy is still for me. What I think I’m going to do is keep praying about this but pursue it in two years after all my paperwork restarts. I’m not sure though. If you happen to stumble across my blog here please feel free to pray. I’ll definitely need it.

Seminary is still going well.

Physically speaking I had some injuries but I'm going to get back on track here in Jan.

So...

2009-10-04T13:23:00.000-07:00

The day I wrote the last blog I happen to speak with a former Army Chaplain (Col.) and he asked me about my process status. I told him about some of the delays and he asked if he could make a few calls for me. I said certainly! Same day I got received several calls and e-mails from the Army trying to fix my problems. I was very excited! I thought finally I can get in!

Well a few days later I received another e-mail that they needed me to resend another form (which would seriously be like the 5th or 6th time I signed it) so they can get permission again to send my file. As I downloaded the form again and thought about how much it was going to cost me to fax this stupid form again, I felt red flags going off.

If a Colonel couldn’t get them in order what chance did I really have? I started wondering if God was trying to give me a way out before I got myself into trouble. My wife and I prayed about it and took a few days to think about it and also spoke with our church. Later we decided this perhaps wasn’t something we should pursue at this time. So I e-mailed the recruiter I was working with and told him.

Well it’s been like 10 days and I haven’t heard anything. So I guess I’m out? Though I’m sure I’ll probably get a message in a few days? I don’t know really. Their communication with me hasn’t been to good. I think I’ve actually spoken to the Chaplain once and called him once with no reply and received maybe 2-3 e-mails from him (only responses to my e-mails).

So anyway I guess I’m out and now I have to decide what I want to do with this blog.

Checking In

2009-09-08T17:55:00.001-07:00

So I'm checking in. I haven't written anything in awhile because I haven't had any news in awhile.

A few days after I wrote my last entry I actually received the paper form of my NAMB approval. That was cool.

I spoke with an Army contact out here and he made a few calls and got some actions going.

Basically there have been some hang ups in getting my paperwork done. The army is going to send me another form to fill out to get my packed moved out to Texas.

So this will take awhile. Anyway thats it for now.

Army side note

2009-08-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

As a side note I received a call from the Army. I'm working with a new Sgt and he seems very motivated to help me out. I'm excited he's going to help me get this physical counseltation stuff going. Apparently they did schedule the conseltation for this month but it was in California. So they have to restart it to get it for Texas.

Also I found out my graduatation date will be 2014 (because I added another degree). Anyway thats a quick note.

Two weeks in Texas

2009-08-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

So we've been here a little more than two weeks. Everyone has been great. People have been really helpful to us. Our stuff isn't here yet either. It has been a little over three weeks since we've seen our stuff. I wish we had a couch. ;-). Supposivly we'll get our stuff on Tuesday. *grumbles*

Classes our coming soon. I'm dreading it mostly. I'm sure I'll like it and that I'll learn a lot. But as of now I'm kind of dreading it. Anyway that'll change in a few days.

Here in Texas

2009-08-07T13:18:00.000-07:00

So our trip was good. We had fun. Texas has been great so far. We're getting familar with the school. All the administration has been great. Everyone has been really friendly so far. Our stuff isn't here so we had to buy an air matress. That's all I have for now.

Moving

2009-07-31T13:09:00.000-07:00

Well our bags are packed and we're ready to go. We're driving to Texas and we are expecting to be there in three days! We'll be at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary monday. We leave at 3am tomorrow (or tonight). Well try to write more as I know.

Movers

2009-07-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

Our stuff was picked up today. So we're living in an empty apartment. But it makes it easier to clean up :-). Our stuff is suppose to meet us in Texas in 7-10 days. It took them a few hours to actually get it out. They also forgot to bring their tools and that was kind of annoying. A part of the service they are suppose to disemble and re-esmble our furniture. They didn't really have the right tools to do it. I was pretty not happy. Anyway hopefully delivery will be better

A side note

2009-07-22T18:34:00.000-07:00

I received an e-mail today and NAMB approved my Chaplaincy Candidate application. He wrote it yesterday but I got it today. Anyway I’m extremely stoked. This motivates me to pursue that medical waiver. Good has been so good.

Physical 1

2009-07-22T18:31:00.000-07:00

So I finally took the physical. (Tuesday 21st, 2009) It really isn’t as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I mean I was tired because I had to get up at 3:00am to get to the place by 5:30am but other than that it wasn’t bad. The people at MEPS were great. Obliviously they weren’t the happiest people on the planet but as long as you were being respectful and following instruction (and a few people weren’t) then they were great. Basically there was like seven main stages. First stage (all this is after check in btw) was a briefing and you filled out another medical form (basically the same as your prescreen form just a little longer) and you took a breathalyzer. Stages 2-6 could vary in order, basically you went to the shortest line till everything was done. There was blood test, which didn’t hurt, for HIV (not AIDS). Then there was a urine test for drugs. Then there was a vision screening. Then there was a hearing test. Then there was a doctor interview (they were only asking questions). All of that took place till about 10:30ish. When that was finally done we had the Doctor screening and exercise test. This is probably the most dreaded part of the entire process but in truth wasn’t that bad at all.

The Doctor Screening and Exercise Test
After they explained everything that was going to happened we stripped down to our underwear and stood in a line. Then they took our height and weight measurements; while in line a doctor came by and listened to your heart and lungs. If you were over your weight limit (like myself) you had to go in another line where they did a body/fat ratio, btw my body fat was ok. At the same time the doctors would also look at your feet, I literally mean look at they rarely touched you in the whole process. After that you were put in one of two lines. Each line would go into a smaller room. Line 1, they checked (quick look) your eyes, teeth, and ears. Line 2, was the dreaded “Nuts and Butts” (btw, if I didn’t mention it this is obviously for men and yes they actually called it “Nuts and Butts”). The Nuts and Butts line went into a small room like the other line except it was only you and the doctor. You got privacy at this point. You had to walk up to a line of tape on the floor, pull your underwear down, he would check your testicles (the old squeeze and cough method); then you turned around and bent over and pulled your butt cheeks apart. It was such a short amount of time… I mean literally by the time I bent over it was done. After everyone was done with those lines we had to do some exercises. Nothing difficult or exhausting, they are merely checking your joints to make sure they work. No push-ups or sit-ups or anything like that. These were more like wiggle your finger and walk on your knee sort of stuff. Then we got dressed and received our files. After that we had another private talk with the doctor where he would explain if we qualified or not and why.

Basically they were really good about keeping you informed the best they could, and for me that really made things go easier. There were a few times I wasn’t sure what was going on but I could ask one of the staff for help. They were extremely knowledgeable and professional. Now if you had a problem on the medical process (like myself) then you have to go for a waiver. So that is my next step. From what I gather it shouldn’t be that difficult of a process but we’ll see.

Physical type information

2009-07-17T16:57:00.000-07:00

So last Tuesday the Army said I was cleared for the physical (again). So I'm suppose to be scheduled for next Tuesday (again). I called and they said I had to wait till Monday to actually be confirmed.

Anyway I thought I should post that. Peace

Keep on waiting

2009-07-09T17:31:00.000-07:00

I think this is third waiting post I've written.

I realized I haven't updated information about the North American Mission Board in awhile. Around July 1st I wrote the NAMB director of the Chaplaincy asking if they needed anything else from me. I did this because some of my references told me they didn't send their form in yet. Well NAMB told me they needed a copy of my acceptance letter and a photo of me. Anyway I sent both in and within three days since contacting me we had everything dealt with. They've received anything and I have been told that the director will contact me if he needs anything.

In regards to the army I haven't been able to reschedule that physical yet. Not because I am unable but because the army needs to figure stuff out. I'm not 100% sure what is going on just yet. I started calling them more frequently to help motivate the process as much as I can. But yall know the old say "Hurry up and wait". I can tell it's very true and I'm not even in the Army yet.

Anyway the last time I spoke with the Chaplain recruiter I asked when he thought I should be in. He told me if I can get the physical before the end of July 1st I could possibly be in the Army as early as August 11-12th; but he said more realistically I would be in around September. Anyway that’s all I have for now.

Please keep praying

Weight Update June 2009

2009-07-01T18:41:00.000-07:00

Ok so I wasn't going to update my weight stuff until I was reached my goal. I realized I probably should update that incase somebody is trying to read about my weight stuff. Basically about 2-3 weeks ago (June 2009) I hit (and sorta stuck) around 185-190. Actually the week I thought I was going to have my physical I started (just as an extra messure) started eating only ceral in the morning and salad at night. It didn't do as good as you would think. After like 4 days I did start loosing weight but it also made my stomach hurt when I used the bathroom (to put it nicely). Then because of the physical being cancelled and my cousin being in town I kinda "celebrated" with some food. It made me feel really sick and I gained a lot of weight (like 7 lbs). So anyway I started working out again and just trying to reduce how much I eat.

On a side note for anybody reading this for the weight stuff. If I could give any tip to anyone I would say "be careful." See I've tried a few things to help me loose weight. For example I tried using this Calorie Counter website which you could put what you ate and it told you how many calories you consumed. You could also put in your excercise and time and it would tell you how many calories you burned. However I started to become addicted and worried about caloried all the time. So eventually I got off that because it was making it too hard and too depressing.

I'm getting close to my goal and the only thing I could say was that it takes time and dedication. When I lack on my dedication I see my weight loss slow down. The more dedicated I am the more I see results. And its not always about weight loss. Don't worship or fear the number you see on the scale. There are many factors to being healthy and sometimes fat will convert to muscle (which weighs more) then the muscles will start burning more fat (and your number goes down). Just be careful. I've been activly working on my weight for about year and I'm almost where I want to be. I've had to give up certain things and I've had to be mindful of certain things. It has been very hard, very slow, at times very depressing, but as you start to see your goal get closer its worth it. I mean celebrate (not with food) every 5 pounds you lose.

Anyway that's the only thing I wish to say about that. I'll try to keep the weight part updated a little more.

Cancelled Physical

2009-07-01T14:49:00.000-07:00

Ok so I was supposed to have my physical last Tuesday (the 23 of June) but there was a paperwork issue (a different MEPS station had my file, one I’ve never been too). So they said it would take a week or so to figure it out. Well I didn’t hear anything yesterday so I e-mail the recruiter today to see what’s up. I haven’t heard anything yet but I figured I probably should put a post about the cancellation.

It wasn't an issue with me or one I could fix. Apparently the recruiter's Sgt was trying to schedule my physical at the MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) station in LA, while I was expecting it to be in San Diego. However, that all didn't really matter because the MEPS station in San Jose were the ones who had my file. See I did an ASVAB test in San Diego because I was planning to just join the Army as a Chaplain's Assistant. So I assumed my file was in San Diego. I guess I was wrong. I think what must have happened was that since I'm working with a recruiter in Nevada that he must be sending my files to San Jose. I don't know this for sure but its the only reason I could figure that my file would be in San Jose.

Anyway thats all I had for now. Peace out

Scheduled...ed

2009-06-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

Yes while I was posting the last blog I received a confirmation from the Army saying they'll try to get me in next Tuesday! I'm completely stoked (for now). Truth be told I get nervous at the hospital so hopefully this will be different. :-) But either way I feel this is where God is leading my wife and I so I have to do it anyway. Pray for courage for me. Thanks!

Schedule physical

2009-06-16T11:09:00.000-07:00

Ok I am really excited, even though this is the crappy part about joining the Army. I did the paperwork a few weeks back for the physical; however I never heard anything from them. Well today they actually e-mail me and said I was cleared for the physical! Then they asked me when I wanted to take it. I told them any time is good for me. Anyway I am just keeping an update so people can see how long the process really takes. Thanks!

Seminary Housing

2009-06-12T11:07:00.000-07:00

So we got our housing information from the seminary today. I don't remember if I mentioned this before. We applied for housing awhile ago (apart of the application process) and then they said they would tell us our actual housing assignment two months before me move in. That was last week and I was getting concerned because I haven't heard anything from anybody in a long time (seminary, army, or namb). Anyway we got the info and a copy of the lease to review ahead of time. God is Good

Couple E-mails

2009-05-13T01:06:00.000-07:00

So I received a couple e-mails and calls from the Army. They were confirming my information because they were putting me in their computers. Then I received a form to schedule my physical. Please keep that in prayer. Thats all for now. Peace

Forms mostly completed

2009-05-02T01:12:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I wrote anything here so let me give a quick update. Basically I filled out the paper work that I had and sent them to the recruiter. I haven’t heard much. From what I understood the Chaplain’s recruiter has an assistant or something who is going to contact me and set up my physical once all the paperwork is approved. This is a long process. I hope it will be completed in time for school and the move. Please keep that in prayer. Anyway that’s all for now.

Army Info

2009-04-15T20:21:00.001-07:00

So I got a hold of the Army today. It was a good conversation and I learned a bit. One thing that was confusing me for awhile I finally figured out. I couldn’t figure out why most everyone in the Chaplaincy Candidate Program seemed to be in the National Guard or Army Reserve. See I want to go Active duty when I finish school but I didn’t know anyone else who was going that route. I finally learned why today. To be in the Chaplain Candidate Program you have to be in the Reserve or the Guard (if you’re going Army). Once you finished your two years of Ministry experience (which I learned today has to be completed after your M. Div degree) and you finish your obligation to the Reserve you can request to go Active.

Anyway that’s what I learned today so I figured I would write it down so anyone who had the same confusion could understand.

Starting the endorsement application

2009-04-13T15:14:00.001-07:00

The last time I contacted the endorsing agency I turned in a copy of my acceptance letter from school. That was three weeks ago. I e-mail the contact last week and found out that they were out of office for holiday season. So I called today and got a hold of them. I know have the endorsement application and the contact for the army. I feel like the process is really getting in gear now.

Please for me. This process is kind of tricky. Even just finding my work history has proven to be a difficult challenge. My old employment places don’t want to work with me so it has been a struggle. I’m slowly taking ground but I pray that God will make this process go a little smoother. Although the more difficult the process, the more likely I’ll recognize God’s work.

Any way that is where I am so far. Hopefully this will help people who are struggling through the process as well. Peace out

Quick Updated

2009-03-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

This is a quick update. I got a hold of the school today. I was able to figure out when classes actually started for me. August 20, 2009. Also I was able to get information about moving details and all that necessary stuff. The academic advising people also called me back and scheduled me for an early academic advising appointment. So that’s all great news!

Status Update

2009-03-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

The school has been great in helping me out so far. I called them today for an academic advising appointment but I had to leave a message. I’m excited to see how this all turns out. I’m also still waiting for an application from NAMB. I’m not sure how long the process is going to take with them but I want to get on it ASAP. In regards to working out I have been losing weight. Sometimes it’s hard to find motivation to work out. Today was really hard. I could barely get motivation today. Anyway I think I’m getting pretty close though. I think I am about 16lbs away from my goal. I hope it comes off soon. Please keep this in prayer that I can get the 16lbs off. Let’s even ask for 20lbs! Although I need to see how much I’ll weigh when I am weighed for the military.

My computer has been down so my updates have been slow. I’ll try to keep them coming

Impressed

2009-03-19T23:10:00.000-07:00

Ok so I am impressed. Tuesday I wrote about how my previous school didn’t send the transcripts to the seminary. I was concerned this would hold up my admission process for seminary for another two weeks. So I checked the online status of the admission process the next day just out of curiosity. Well the new school actually received the transcripts the very next day! Wednesday morning they already had the transcripts! I was pretty impressed that the new school actually received and updated the website saying they had my transcripts.

Well the plot thickens. By about 4 O’clock the seminary actually reviewed my transcripts and sent me my acceptance letter! That’s right I was accepted! The next thing I did, after praising God, was to e-mail the North American Mission Board. They told me to forward my acceptance letter to them and they should give me the application for endorsement. So we’ll see.

Thank you everyone who prayed. I am about half way there! I could still use extra prayers that family members will be a little more comfortable with this decision.

I'm so glad I'm not at my undergrad school still

2009-03-17T23:11:00.000-07:00

So I checked on my application status on Monday. I was supposed to hear from them last Friday but I didn’t. When I went online to look for their phone number I found that they had an online application status. I was able to see which documents were in and which ones were not in. Turns out that the reason I didn’t hear from the seminary was because my previous school did not send my transcripts yet. I called the school and had them resend so let’s all hope it goes through.

Also I had to format my computer. I finally got most of the programs back on so I’ll be able to keep up with the post. Thanks for any prayers.

Waiting 2

2009-02-26T18:23:00.000-08:00

Whelp, I'm waiting again.

With the church's recommendation form completed (and hopefully sent) my application for seminary should be complete. Now I'm just waiting for an acceptance or denial.

A few people have asked me if I am worried, so for the record I'm not really worried at this point. I was worried about the church because I was kind of afraid of insulting them by even asking. However with the seminary I feel different. God is in control either way. So the outcome will be good for me either way. I desire to be led by God. I am afraid of doing my own thing. But I consistently beg God to keep me on His path. That doesn't mean I don't stray from time to time but it means that I try to always walk by faith.

If I get accepted into seminary, the next step (after praising God) is contacting the NAMB and the Army. Plus I also need to make arrangements to move.

If I get denied, the next step (after praising God) will be to pray, seek counsel, and study the word to discern if God was telling me to no, no for now, not this school, or not this way.

On a plus side I've been taking this time of waiting to get in shape. I've been doing this P90X program. It's a killer but it's fun!

I've been doing the Cardio X, Kempo X, Ab Ripper X (noticing a pattern yet?), Back and Chest X, and Stretching X. Basically I do the Cardio X everyday I work out; which is everyday except for Sunday and Tuesday. With the Cardio X I will throw on one of the other work outs. Today was the Ab Ripper X. I'm going to share with you a text message a sent my mother-in-law about the work out which hopefully will explain how I felt.

This is all a quote. A side note really quickly. The ab ripper is a 15min workout and the term 'mushroom' is a term my youngest sister-in-law uses for love handles or weight on your sides. So here is the text:

I did, well tried, that ab ripper x. After 3mins my 'mushrooms' went on strike. After 5mins my stomach said I was no longer in charge. After 7mins my legs joined in on the rebellion. After 10 mins my body just hated me. After 13mins my sweat started mocking me. After 15mins, when it was over, even the rocks praised God.

Hopefully that was kind of funny for you. For anyone who reads this blog in the future, for the purpose of considering the chaplaincy. I just want to say take advantage of all the down time God gives you. Don't be wasteful. Don't just wait, pray, work out, get prepared the best you can. Thanks! Good luck.

God carried my weight today.

2009-02-22T23:47:00.000-08:00

God totally was carrying my weight today.

See I woke up this morning kind of sick, because I was sick the day prior, and I was debating if I should go to church or if I should just lie in bed. When I looked at the clock I saw that I was extremely late so I figured I was just going to rest today. However, after I laid there for about another half hour I realized that I was actually was just getting up on time and if I hurried I could still make it to church. After I debated for a second I decided to get up because I really wanted to go to church and I need to go to this performance thing afterwards. So I went to church. The message, of course, was really good and moving and then we were having a potluck afterwards [I love being Baptist ;-)]. After the potluck the church was going to have a business meeting. I ended up staying for the business meeting instead of leaving to the performance like I had originally planned. During the meeting the pastor brought up the church recommendation issue before the church and they all voted on it. They all agreed to vote for the recommendation! I’m so excited.

God has blessed me so much. I’m so excited. I know this is step one of many steps and God can still say no. But I want to praise His name for answering my prayers! God is good!

The funny thing is, at least to me, it seems that often in life God answers prayers once you’re genuinely content either way. I started to become content with the idea that God wasn’t going to have me do the chaplaincy yet. More so, during the service I was thinking maybe God wanted me to do something here instead. Then out of the blue the pastor brought up the recommendation and the church was excited for it!

I just want to say praise God!

So hopefully my application will be complete for seminary as soon as the Pastor sends in the form. If they accept me I'll then move on to the subject of NAMB endorsement.

Praise God!

Waiting

2009-02-20T21:01:00.001-08:00

I took a step and sent in the church recommendation. I know this might sound silly but I've been really nervous about this for awhile. I finally decided I needed to do it and not waste time because God is God regardless of what I do.

Currently I am in limbo waiting for an answer. I sent it in and their was some acknowledgment of my attendance issue. I'm hoping to get a response before Sunday. I was going to wait for an answer before I posted a new blog but I figured that maybe this limbo feeling was something I needed to mention. That way people who come after me will know it isn't easy.

A couple days ago I was praying about the Chaplaincy issue and I asked God to slam doors shut if he doesn't want me to go and to make it like a smooth slip-n-slide if he wanted me to join the chaplaincy. A day or so later I was praying with my wife and I heard some of what she was saying, she is quite brilliant, and it made me think. What I needed to pray was not for ease but for his glory. If this process was too easy I probably wouldn't appreciate some of the work God has put into it. I know that may sound strange but there has been a lot that has orchestrated this event; And if there wasn't fear I may not appreciated God's strength.

So I changed my prayer that God may be glorified in this process either way. If God graciously allows me to join the chaplaincy I expect that it will be a difficult process that will take lots of work, but I hope to be refined in the process.

Anyway that's all I have for now. Please keep praying.

Inching Further

2009-02-17T23:25:00.000-08:00

So I’m still working out and going through the seminary process. Currently I added a 40minute PX90 workout to my exercise plan. Hopefully I’ll see some more results. Right now I’m running, riding bikes, doing 30 pushups, 30 sit ups, and now have PX90 exercise. I’m inching my way closer to my goal. I’m not going to say where I’m at now because I had a back week, actually probably like week and a half or maybe even two. 186lbs is my goal. I don’t know what my goal is suppose to be… but that is my goal.

In regards to the seminary process I am at the part where I need a church recommendation. I am kind of nervous about this part. I guess I really don’t have any reason to be nervous because God will take care of it either way. The reason I am a little nervous is because the church I am trying to get a recommendation from I have an odd history with. See I became a member of this church like two years ago but then after a few months I couldn’t keep attending because I had to keep driving 5hrs away on the weekend to help my parents since they got cancer. After a few incidences I was able not to drive away every weekend but then I was kind of moving around for awhile. When that was finally done I worked at a Creationist Museum (worst job ever) and they made me work Sundays. I actually ended up getting fired from that job because I told them I needed to go to church. Anyway to make a long story a little shorter I am now back at this church (and loving it). Some of them know me pretty well and some of them don’t. The pastor knows me really well and I hope he’ll recommend me but who knows. I am going to try e-mail the pastor this week; hopefully that will go there. Keep that in prayer!!! Please ;-)

Weight

2009-02-13T10:43:00.000-08:00

One area of difficulty for me in getting ready to join the Chaplaincy has been weight. The tricky thing is that my BMI is way off. For the longest time my BMI said I was like “Obese Level II.” I am overweight but not that overweight. When they did my body tape I was in the “Normal” zone. Even though I am in the “Normal” zone I do have some weight I can lose. I want to get my BMI to be as close as I could get to normal. Currently I am like 5lbs away from being just “Overweight” on my BMI. I’ve lost like 40lbs so far. I’m shooting for another 20lbs.

I’ve let my exercise habits relaxed this week. So I am kicking it into full gear next week. I have a new diet plan that I am going to try for a month. I am going to take vitamins with my diet just to make sure it’s healthy. Also I am going to start my running again. I started running because I figured the Army is going to make me run. I am probably the worst runner in the world but I am getting better. Also taking the advice from my oldest brother I decided to find an exercise that is also fun. So I’ve taken up Bike riding. The bad thing is that it has rained here the last couple days so I haven’t been able to ride for like a week or so.

If you're struggling with weight I just want you to know that I never thought I could lose as much as I have. Since losing the weight I am motivated that I can lose more weight. Same with running. I hate running but I am trying to change my mental outlook on running. And it is getting better, and easier. Simply putting the time in really helps. Anyway you can do it.

In regards to the chaplaincy process right now I am just waiting for personal references from my friends so I can send them to the seminary. I just sent the transcripts yesterday from my undergraduate school. After the personal references I’ll need a church reference for seminary, then I think the application is complete (well after I pay the fee). So those are my updates.

So please keep the weight thing in prayer and the seminary thing in prayer. Anyway that’s it for me right now.

Beginning Down the Path

2009-02-09T14:59:00.000-08:00

I am writing this blog to talk about how I am trying to get into the Chaplaincy. I feel this is the direction God is leading me. I don't know how everything will turn out but I figure if I write about my trials I can give other people information that might be useful to them. Right now it probably won't be too useful but several years down the road maybe some people can read my complete story and know things I didn't know.

Ok so this is the beginning to my story about trying to get into the Chaplaincy.

While I was in college I was praying and trying to seek what ministry God wanted me to work in or if He even wanted me to be involved with a ministry at all. I kept feeling a personal draw towards Army Chaplain. However, as I read about the requirements they seemed so daunting, like something that would take me another ten years to accomplish. I thought maybe I was confused about what God wanted or that God was showing me this to dissuade me from the chaplaincy. I figured maybe God wanted me to do something else since His ways are higher than my ways. So basically I gave up.

When I finally graduate from college I went back into seeking what God wanted me to do with my life. I tried a few things here and there but ALL were not satisfying and God would slam the door shut on those venues. One day I had to return to my school because I had to turn in the last assignment for my second degree directly to my Dean. While sitting there talking with him I happen to see an Army National Guard pamphlet on his desk. I was glancing at it and it happened to be about the Army Chaplaincy. I was eager to read it but I knew I couldn’t do it because of the requirements. As I was reading, I happen to see a program called Army Chaplain Candidate Program. Basically the program worked by allowing seminary students to attend college and train for the chaplaincy. It seemed perfect! I was so excited that maybe God was opening this door again. Later that week there was a job fair that the Army was going to attend so I figured I would wait and talk with them there. Once the job fair was open I even found a Chaplain recruiter right at my school!

The Chaplain recruiter was a very interesting person. Eventually we got to a point where I was told I couldn’t go in as a Southern Baptist because I needed to work in the ministry like 8 years. Anyway I was bummed and gave up. As the months passed and I was married I couldn’t find work (as many because of our economic situation) so I was planning to join the Army.

There was a certain date I had told myself if I haven’t found work by this point I would join the Army. Well the date was coming near and on the last weekend my wife and I, who were looking for a church, decided to go back to our old church. We weren’t able to attend this church in awhile because of moving and working and things like that. So we went to church. While we were at church I remembered a guy was in the Army so I thought I should talk to him and see if he had any advice. As we entered the church the Pastor greeted us and started talking with us. Then another guy started talking with me and my wife mentioned the Army thing to the Pastor. He informed us that the guy I was planning on talking to was now a chaplain. I was really happy for him and eager to congratulate him. When I finally made it over to him he explain that he was actually in the Army Chaplain Candidate Program. I was so excited to hear about it.

Anyway to make a long story slightly shorter he actually explained that it was possible for me to get in the Chaplaincy Candidate Program still. He gave me the number of the Southern Baptist endorsing agency, which is the North American Mission Board. The guy I talked to from the NAMB was amazing. He was so helpful and just as excited as I was. Basically what I need to do at this point is apply for seminary and once I complete that I will fill out a form for the endorsement from NAMB and then the Army and I will have a chat and if all goes well I’ll be in seminary this fall as a Chaplain Candidate.

What I am hoping to do is use this blog to talk about my progress and hopefully give others the knowledge I’ve gained to help them follow what God wants them to do. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I’ll share what little information I have

Bazooka Knight

2009-02-09T14:57:00.000-08:00

I said in my first post that I would explain my name. So here is my explanation of the origin of Bazooka Knight. It actually all started because of an assignment I received my first semester as a freshman in High school. I was in a communication class and the teacher gave us an assignment to write about what we would change our names if we could. Apparently what we suppose to do is change our names to common actual names like Henry or Anna. Most of the students changed their name to a favorite relative or something. The really creative students changed their names to a famous person they admired. Whelp as everyone was reading their papers I was sitting with mine “If I could change my name I would change it to Bazooka Smiles Knight…” Dreading the moments I had to actually get up I figured I actually had two options. I could either just say something else, because nobody could actually see my paper, or read my paper. Once it was my time I decided that I might as well face the music and read my paper. As I started to read my paper people were laughing, but I decided to run with it. The more laughter I got the more pride I read my paper with. Anyway by the time I finished speaking the class was dying with laughter but amazed at the speech. I, feeling embarrassed, was quickly escape back to my chair. I was blessed because I was able to avoid the complete mockery that was certain to follow because I pulled it off as a joke.

Anyway I actually did mean what I said in the paper so the name stuck. So I will give you the basic concept of the paper now. Remember this was right before I became a follower of Christ. Essentially the paper read as follows:

Bazooka Smile Knight

My first name would be Bazooka because you need to fully do things, don’t half do them. A bazooka is an extreme weapon. You can not really stealth shoot a bazooka. If a bazooka is shot people know. It is loud and destructive no matter where it lands. Likewise I believe people need to fully follow their beliefs. Being indecisive is not productive at all. Be who you are and be ok with it or change what you are not ok with. To quote the great Yoda “Do or do not, there is no try.”

My middle name would be Smile because you need to enjoy what you are doing. If you don’t enjoy what you are doing in life you should change it. You can’t go around hating life and expect it to get better.

My last name would be Knight because you need to live with chivalry. Every man of every faith believes in some set of principles concerning respect and justice. People need to treat all people with this sort of noble value because all people want to be treated this way. We all need to live with honor, courage, and virtue.

As I grew a little older I took off “Smile” because I realized I think there are some things more important than our personal happiness. I mean technically, I guess if there wasn’t a greater joy we still wouldn’t do it, but all the same I guess. *shrugs shoulders* If anyone asks what is Bazooka Knight’s middle name I still say “Smile” but I just don’t include it regularly.

New Beginning

2009-02-08T22:18:00.000-08:00

I am going to write about my experiences trying to join the Chaplaincy and hopefully being a Chaplain.

I am writing this quick blog to get my screen up so I can edit my page.

Then I'll write a short bio and an explanation of the name Bazooka Knight.